Peter, writing in the first century Roman world, reminds his readers that the world as it is, not only the political reality, but the material reality, as well, is passing away. He poses the question, “How shall we then live?” (2 Pet. 3: 10-12) His answer is, “…in leading lives of holiness and godliness….” (NRSV) or, “…holy in your conduct and devotion,…” (NAB)
Living in the times we do, with the things that are happening around us, there couldn’t be a more relevant reminder! Unholiness and ungodliness are rampant in the culture around us.
Children Dying
We live in a time when it is acceptable in Belgium to take the life of a 9 yr. old child because they have Cystic Fibrosis — a threat and challenge to every child, and every parent of a child, with cystic fibrosis or any other disabling disease.
Why a 9 Year Old was Euthanized
Euthanasia in Belgium: updates on a social experiment.
https://www.mercatornet.com/careful/view/euthanasia-in-belgium-updates-on-a-social-experiment/21655
And, many of us agonized and watched in horror as the British authorities determined that, due to their disabilities, two toddlers, Charlie Gard & Alfie Evans, should die because, in their estimation, neither could ever have an acceptable quality of life that warranted further medical intervention to sustain their lives. This, even though other foreign governments/facilities were willing to intervene and provide additional medical interventions for each of them, at no expense to the British state.
British Hospital to Gard Parents: “You Alone Cannot Decide Your Child’s Fate.”
Pope Speaks on Dying Baby
http://www.newser.com/story/245140/pope-parents-should-be-allowed-to-treat-dying-baby.html
“Legal” Reason UK can for Alfie Evans to Die
Abortion as ‘Self-Care’ and a Benefit to US Economy
Recently, a pro-choice group in Texas paid for billboards touting that Abortion can, now, among other things, be seen as “Self-Care.”
Black Women encouraged to view Abortion as “Self-Care”
At the same time, Chelsea Clinton, the ‘former’ First Daughter (Bill and Hilary Clinton’s only child), following in her famous Mom’s pro-choice footsteps, goes a step further, saying that abortion has been an incredible economic benefit for America.
Clinton Credits Abortion with Saving American Economy
https://www.dailywire.com/news/34496/chelsea-clinton-credits-abortion-saving-american-emily-zanotti
Call to Holiness
Heeding the call from Peter in his 1st letter, we need to consider what holiness might look like.
Writing at the beginning of the 20th Century, in his classic Christian devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers, in his Sept. 1 devotion under the title, Destined to be Holy, says, “Holiness means absolute purity of your walk before God, the words coming out of your mouth, and every thought in your mind — placing every detail of your life under the scrutiny of God Himself.”
Reading from the same book, for the following day, under the heading, A Life of Pure and Holy Sacrifice, Chambers adds that God’s purpose for our lives is not simply to have us be luscious, plump grapes, but rather to be grapes from which the savoury sweetness of holiness can be squeezed out of us. His challenge to us, not unlike Peter’s in his epistle, is, “Are we prepared to pour out our lives for Him?”
Watching the Catholic University of America’s School Opening Mass of the Holy Spirit recently, which aired on EWTN, I was encouraged by the forthright approach of the University Chaplain, Rev. Jude DeAngelo’s message in his homily, which was backed up by the remarks of the University President, John Garvie. Both addressed the issue of Clergy Sexual Abuse that is currently raging in the Catholic Church.
President Garvie ended his message by calling us all, individually, to not look at what is happening around us, but to strive for personal holiness as our own antidote to the mess our world seems to have gotten itself into.
Both messages are well worth reading or listening to:
Rev. Jude DeAngelo, O.F.M. Conv
https://www.catholic.edu/speeches-and-homilies/2018/homily-mass-of-holy-spirit.html
John Garvie, President, Catholic University of America
https://www.catholic.edu/speeches-and-homilies/2018/president-mass-of-holy-spirit.html
On this particular day, September 11, as we commemorate the devastating effects of terrorism in our world, and the painful and personal cost of the countless number of human lives lost in senseless violence around the world, the question we face is: Is our response anger and indignation, or are we moved with the resolve to personally live more holy, godly, and loving lives — in imitation of the One who gave His own life for us, for every terrorist and abuser who walks the face of this earth, and for every victim of their violence and abuse, Our Lord Jesus — Savior and Redeemer of the whole World?
Ending Our Life Well 
This blog post reminds me that the mundane affairs of today, though important in their place, pale in comparison to the call to be Holy and unmistakably God’s man. Thank you. May we be totally given.
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